Reetika Hooda Strikes Gold at World Military Championships

In a remarkable feat for Indian wrestling, Reetika Hooda clinched the gold medal in the women’s 76kg category at the World Military Championships, becoming the second Indian woman to win gold at the event. This achievement comes on the heels of Jyoti Sihag’s triumph in the 55kg category, marking a momentous debut for India’s women’s contingent at the prestigious tournament. 

Key Highlights

Historic Achievement

• Reetika Hooda becomes the second Indian woman to win gold at the World Military Championships.
• Jyoti Sihag secured gold in the 55kg category just a day earlier.

Debut of India’s Women’s Contingent

• 2024 marked the first year India sent a women’s team to the World Military Championships.
• This follows the Armed Forces’ decision to recruit sportswomen into their ranks.

Reetika’s Redemption Story

• Reetika overcame heartbreak at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she narrowly missed a medal.
• In Paris, she lost a quarter-final match to top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan on criteria.

Journey to Gold

• Reetika’s resilience shone through as she bounced back to claim gold at the military championships.
• Her victory signals the beginning of a promising era for Indian women in wrestling.

National Impact

• The success of Reetika and Jyoti reflects India’s strides in promoting gender equality in sports and defense.
• Their wins highlight the importance of institutional support for female athletes.

Significance of the Achievement

Empowering Women in Defense

• The inclusion of sportswomen in the Armed Forces has brought global recognition.
• The debut participation resulted in two gold medals, demonstrating the potential of such policies.

Inspiration for Young Athletes

• Reetika’s journey from Olympic heartbreak to military champion inspires perseverance and resilience.

India’s Growing Presence in Global Wrestling

• The victories strengthen India’s position as a rising power in women’s wrestling.